A Note from Dessi

Today we went to see the Pope in Vatican City and also to the Sistine Chapel. The Pope also gave a shout out to St. Marks School, and we stood up and shouted. The Sistine Chapel was overwhelming with all the pictures on the ceiling looking over you almost as if they were about to fall down onto the floor. It was quite enormous as well with swarms of people coming in and out. There was also a huge crowd at the Papal audience. We also saw St. Peter's Basilica, which is the biggest church in the universe. It also had many statues and paintings all around it, as well as being laid out in the shape of a cross with a gigantic high altar.

Vatican Day

We're off to the Vatican today for a Papal Audience in the morning and museums in the afternoon. The students will, I hope, appreciate the experience. I know they'll appreciate the slow pace of the day, even if we do have to get an early start.

Last night was my favorite dinner in Rome and I think the students liked it as well. We went to Orso 80 where the antipast includes 16 different options, all brought to your table until you're overwhelmed. After a short break, everyone was ready for pasta and then a quick walk to Giolitti for gelato.

All Here

The whole group is now here in Rome as the two varsity basketball players arrived safely this morning. We're off now to San Clemente, a church close to the hotel, and a brief break at the Spanish Steps before dinner.

Tomorrow is a busy day with an early start. Our audience with the Pope is in the morning and we'll take the Rome Metro for the first time. In the afternoon, we will see the Vatican Museums. This is also the best time to send postcards (at the Vatican postoffice), so everyone will be writing notes after dinner tonight.

A Note from Sara

Oh, hello everyone, I didn't see you there. I am writing to you from the lobby of our Hotel in Italy, and is it about 9:25... just about. We had a lovely day today, waking up well rested and getting sraight down to business at the Forum. We saw the temple of Jupiter Stator (Jupiter the Protector), which is the exact place where Cicero gave the very speech that Latin III read. Well, Mr. Conti is rushing me so I have to wrap this up, but we're all healthy and happy and full of gelato. BYE!!! (Mrs. Cavanaugh, you're son says Hi).

A Note from Trevor

Hello,

Currently, most of the kids are either passed out in their rooms or sitting together talking. This is the first real break we have had so far, and everyone is enjoying it. After waking up at 9, by personal alarm clock or Mr.Conti, the kids ate breakfast in the hotel and departed to the city at 9:30. We visited the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill, and the House Augustus. I was the first person to misplace something, my camera, but was able to run back to the American Express office to retrieve it successfully. Tonight we taking a brief 25 minute walk to a church (St. John Lateran) then to dinner. Rest will be needed tonight to revive the kids from their zombie-like phase.

Arrived in Rome

Just about an hour ago, we arrived at our hotel in Rome. Despite a long wait at the airport in Rome for our baggage, the trip was uneventful and everyone is safe and sound. After a brief rest, we will head off to lunch and a visit to the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Capitlone Museums, followed by dinner. I expect that we will just make it back to the hotel before everyone collapses.

I'll let you know tomorrow about the first full day and try to add some pictures and a student reaction to the trip so far.

Away We Go!

We'll depart today at 3:30 from the Front Circle, thanks to Mr. Large, Ms. McBride and Ms. Sanchez, who will be driving us to the airport. Our flight departs at 6PM and arrives in Milan at 7:35AM. You can track the flight using the Alitalia website. It has left early each day this week and arrived early as well, so I hope that we will make our connection to Rome.
We'll send an update as soon as we can after we arrive.